A funeral is not a day in a lifetime, it's a lifetime in a day.

Welcome to Palmer Funeral Services

A funeral service for the most part, is an unplanned life event and takes place at a time when we are least equipped ​to make very important decisions. It is so important that it is done well and is a fitting tribute to the person who has passed, creates good memories and aids our grieving process.

​​At Palmer Funeral Services we want you ​to have positive memories of the funeral process.

How do we do this?We listen to your needs. Guide you with our experience. Give you an accurate indication of costs and take care of all the details large and small to ensure your loved one’s funeral service is personal, ​meaningful and everything you want and nothing that you don't.

Why Funerals Matter?

Why have a funeral service? What is the purpose of a funeral service?​Ceremony is an important part of our lives. Through the act of ceremony we mark important rites of passage, such a coming of age, moving home, anniversaries, marriages, births and death. No matter what nationality or faith, we all have our own ceremonies, rites and rituals that we perform at the time of a death. A funeral service is a ceremony in which we say goodbye to someone who has died, we acknowledge, remember and celebrate their life. The process of organising and taking part in a funeral service, aids the grieving process by giving a focus to the loss of someone special...read more

How can we help today?

ARRANGING A FUNERAL

​There are many decisions to be made in short time frame, under difficult circumstances. Our funeral directors will guide you through the process, implement your wishes to create a memorable funeral...read more

WHY FUNERALS MATTER

​Ceremony is an important part of our lives, bringing us together to mark important rites of passage, such a coming of age, moving home, anniversaries, marriages, births and death. No matter what nationality or faith, we all have our own ceremonies. rites and rituals that we perform at the time of a death...read more

PREPLAN & PREPAY

​Having your funeral service wishes recorded in advance and/or prepaying for your funeral, means that your wishes will be carried out and your family spared unnecessary worry about the arrangements and costs at a sad and often difficult time...read more

SOMEONE HAS DIED

​​What Happens Now?​What you need to know when someone has died.Where have they died and what are the circumstances of the death?Was their death expected or unexpected?...read more

BURIAL OR CREMATION

​Burial or Cremation: This is one of the first questions you will be asked when you contact us in the event of a death because it affects the immediate paperwork done by the doctor or medical examiner and funeral director. Your loved one may have already made their wishes known to you or it may be a decision that you have to make. See Burial or Cremation

COST & PAYMENT

​To accurately calculate the financial cost of a funeral, requires a multitude of decisions to made in regard to the many products and services that encompass a funeral service...read more

CASKETS & URNS

​Choosing a casket or urn is another decision in the funeral arrangement process and can be a thoughtful reflection of a life lived and valued.We offer a wide range of caskets and urns to suit your requirements and work within your budget. To views our catalogue and prices...click here

VIEWING THE BODY

​Spending time with the person who has died affords you the opportunity to have private and valuable time together before the service. Those who take this time feel that it aids their grieving process and adds to their memories in a positive way and begins the process of accepting the reality of their death...read more

VENUES

​You can hold a funeral service at almost any location. Either at your place or ours, (see Palmer Chapel) as well as a wide variety of excellent venues and locations in Christchurch and the Canterbury district…read more

EMBALMING, CLOTHING & DRESSING

​People have mixed feelings about embalming and aren’t sure about its relevance in modern society. Embalming serves three main purposes...read more

REPATRIATION

​Repatriation – Worldwide or within New Zealand.Repatriation is returning home of the body, remains or ashes of someone who has died outside of their country or their normal place of residence. This can be national or international. In addition to the normal processes involved in a funeral, there are mandatory requirements to comply with New Zealand or another countries when sending or receiving remains or ashes...read more

COMPASSIONATE AIRFARES

Compassionate airfares maybe available through Air New Zealand to immediate family members needing to attend a funeral service only within New Zealand. If travelling internationally assistance only applies to change fees...read more

FUNERAL GRANTS

​​A funeral grant may be available if there are circumstances of accidental death or where the deceased person is without suitable means to pay for their funeral...read more

PALMER CHAPEL

We listen. We guide. We care.

Preplan & Prepay

Having your funeral service wishes recorded in advance and/or prepaying for your funeral, means that your wishes will be carried out and your family spared unnecessary worry about the arrangements and costs at a sad and often difficult time. Recording your wishes is the best way to be proactive in regard to how you wish to be remembered and removes uncertainty in relation to the many questions left to those who organise the funeral...​read more

Burial or Cremation

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to choosing between either being buried or cremated. It is a matter of personal preference. For some, cultural or religious beliefs determined their choice. If you are trying to make a choice between burial or cremation, we hope the information we share with you will help you to make up your mind or reinforce the decision you have already made...read more